Côte d’Ivoire-RD Congo is an African Cup of Nations semifinal and is played Wednesday at 9 p.m.: free-to-air TV, streaming, likely lineups, predictions.
If it is true that soccer sometimes enjoys drawing indecipherable trajectories, Ivory Coast’s path in this African Cup of Nations is the most glaring example. The Elephants went in a matter of weeks from despair over an almost certain elimination – suffice it to say that the federation had already sacked selector Gasset after the humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea on the third day of the group stage – to the wildest joy over an unexpected landing in the semifinals, where they will face the surprising Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Ivorians, it is worth remembering, qualified for the knockout stage by the skin of their teeth, and that is by only coming in at the last among the best thirds with only three points won in Group A, dominated by Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. An embarrassment narrowly avoided, since it is the Ivory Coast that is organizing the event. The group has regrouped also thanks to the new technical commissioner Emerse Faé, promoted from the Under-23: Kessié and companions actually continue not to shine particularly from the point of view of the game, but compared to the first phase, the group has regrouped and takes the field with determination and greater lightheartedness. In the round of 16 the Elephants eliminated none other than reigning champions Senegal after penalty kicks, but even more exciting was the quarterfinal with Mali, reached at 90′ by a goal from Adingra and finally overturned by Diakité at 120′, when by then penalties seemed inevitable. In short, like a roller coaster.
Two absences among the Elephants
Similar to Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo also made it through the round with just three points, the result of as many draws (Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania).
The Leopards then took the scalp of Egypt, the finalist of the last edition, popping up from the penalty spot (the match had ended 1-1). On the other hand, the challenge with Guinea (3-1) in the quarters was less balanced: in the second half Sebastien Desabre’s men took the lead, settling the matter first with a penalty by Wissa, Brentford striker, and then with Masuaku, now at Besiktas. Ivory Coast will be without Kossounou and Diakité, both disqualified. Faé hopes to finally count on Haller, so far plagued by an ankle problem. No changes among the Leopards, who will take the field with the formation-type.
The prediction
Now well launched, Côte d’Ivoire after being on the brink of the precipice should find the resources to impose itself on the Democratic Republic of Congo as well. The field factor, as against Mali, will likely make the difference. Both are likely to score.
The likely lineups for Ivory Coast-DR Congo
CÔTE D’IVOIRE (4-2-3-1): Y. Fofana; Singo, N’Dicka, Boly, Konan; Seri, Kessié; Pépé, S. Fofana, Adingra; Haller.
CONGO DR (4-2-3-1): M’Pasi; Kalulu, Mbemba, Inonga, Masuaku; Pickel, Moutoussamy; Elia, Bongonda, Wissa; Bakambu.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
